Southern California -- this just in

Tense moments outside Staples Center as police try to control fans

The Los Angeles Lakers’ victory against the Boston Celtics in the NBA final brought boisterous celebrations across Los Angeles -- mostly peaceful but with some tense moments.

Crowds smashed windows at Pico Boulevard and Figueroa Street.

At 9th and Flower streets, a crowd bashed in the windows at the condo loft tower and ripped down the barriers that had been set up at the street. Then they swarmed a pickup truck at the intersection. Ten men hopped on top of it.

Police were also responding to a report of shots fired near Staples Center.

A standoff has ensued between Lakers fans and a phalanx of more than two dozen police wearing riot gear and wielding batons. The scene began when fans tore down a traffic sign and then started tearing down two newspaper stands and lighting the papers on fire. When the police marched up Figueroa Street, about two dozen abreast, the crowd slowly receded.

Some people are throwing Monster Energy drinks at the crowd (they were given out after the win). Others are posing for photographs in front of the line of police.

Some people kicked a Honda car parked on Figueroa Street, shattering its windows. But others tried to protect the car. One in that group said: "You ain’t from L.A. This is L.A.. No burning."

At least nine people were arrested by the LAPD.

The Sheriff's Department closed Whittier Boulevard in East L.A., but no incidents were reported there.

Photo: Police arrest a Lakers fans on Figueroa Street after the Lakers victory
over the Boston Celtics inGame 7 of the NBA Finals at Staples Center in
the L.A. LIVE campus on Thurs., June 17, 2010, in Los Angeles. Credit: John W.
Adkisson/Los Angeles Times